Troy Aikman
Quarterback · Dallas Cowboys
2013 Topps Archives Football #68SU-TA
Year & Era
2013 — Modern Era
Card Type
1/1 Printing Plate Cyan
Grade
Raw — Appears Near Mint to Mint (Printing plates inherently exhibit manufacturing wear)
Rarity
Extremely Rare (1/1 Unique Master Printing Plate)
Overall Assessment
A stunning and completely unique 1/1 Cyan Printing Plate of Hall of Famer Troy Aikman from 2013 Topps Archives, offering immense appeal for Cowboys fans and player collectors
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Near Mint to Mint (Printing plates inherently exhibit manufacturing wear)
Centering Assessment
Front: N/A (Solid color printing plate), Back sticker: 50/50 Left-Right, 50/50 Top-Bottom
Surface Condition
Standard printing plate characteristics including light factory scuffs and machining marks inherent to production use
Corner Condition
Factory cut rounded corners, standard for printing plates secured in toploader
Edge Condition
Clean factory cut metal edges with no major dings or severe chipping
Print Quality
Authentic factory-used Cyan printing plate with official Topps authentication sticker on reverse
Estimated Value
$150 - $300 depending on auction venue and demand for Hall of Fame quarterback printing plates
Comparison to Known Examples
One of four unique printing plates (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) created for this specific card in the 2013 Topps Archives set
Authentication Tips
Verify the Topps holographic seal on the magnetic holder, inspect the exact text of the Topps sticker, and check the reverse side typography against verified Topps printing plate examples
Grading Recommendation
Raw in One-Touch Magnetic Holder or Beckett (BGS) Authentic/Grade if slab encapsulation is preferred for protection
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; Topps tamper-evident sticker matches standard industry formatting for 1/1 buyback/insert items
Provenance Notes
Obtained directly from Topps product release packs or secondary market hobby boxes as a master printing plate insert
Historical Context
Troy Aikman is a Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s, making his vintage-style throwback cards highly collectible
Market Trends
Stable demand for Hall of Fame quarterback 1/1 cards, though printing plates generally trade at a discount compared to low-numbered autographed or patch cards
Investment Potential
Stable long-term hold as a unique 1/1 collectible of a legendary Hall of Famer, though limited by printing plate aesthetic appeal compared to auto/patch cards
Similar Cards
2013 Topps Archives Troy Aikman Magenta, Yellow, and Black 1/1 Printing Plates
Display & Preservation
Store in a UV-protected magnetic holder inside a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent scratching or oxidation
Interesting Facts
Printing plates are actual metal sheets used by the printing press to apply ink to trading cards, making every single plate a literal piece of card production history